Guwahati: Citing security threat in the area ahead of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s scheduled visit on April 20, security has been beefed up in Assam with the ULFA's anti-talk faction calling a 12-hour Assam bandh in protest.

Police and para-military personnel have been posted on all major thoroughfares, vital installations and patrolling has been intensified throughout the state, official sources said.

A security alert has been sounded throughout the state with police and security forces kept on high alert to thwart any subversive attempt by the ULFA and all forces engaged in counter-insurgency operations are meeting regularly to coordinate operations and share intelligence.

According to intelligence sources, there are reports that the ULFA cadre has been directed to target oil installations, pipelines, railway tracks, security personnel, police stations and outposts along with other vital installations.

The anti-talk ULFA faction has called for a 12-hour state-wide beginning at 0500 hrs on Friday to protest against Singh's visit.

The Prime Minister, who represents Assam in the Rajya Sabha, is scheduled to arrive here on Friday at 1050 hrs at the Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport from where he would fly in a helicopter and land at the Nehru Stadium, Kamrup (Metro) Deputy Commissioner A Agnihotri told reporters here on Thursday.

The Prime Minister would immediately leave for B Barooah Cancer Institute where he is scheduled to inaugurate two new facilities for cancer patients. (JPN/Agencies)